The Order did not expand quickly, even when restrictions had been lightened to meet the constant, overhanging threat from the New Jedi Order. Perhaps 1 in 10,000,000 people had any noteable Force sensitivity, and out of those, only the very best were selected out for training.

Since the Order had suffered recently, but Dark Jedi were still needed, Kane had approved another member. He had the report in front of him. Crystala had discovered Iaex Larek as a potential candidate. He was still a youn man, but old enough to have started a successful career both in the starfleet and with ISIS. Something of a social intellectual, if his profile was anything to rely on. Rather than tactical command, he was a SSO, Ship Systems Officer of notable skill with sensors. That skill had been noticed by ISIS, and he had done TDY for them. Perhaps ISIS would have liked to recruit him from the navy, but as it was, he was a perfect candidate for the ICE project. It was a shame that he would largely have to train on his own. Still, everything that could be done had been prepared short of sending a master along with him on his long journey.

Well first things first. The Emperor pressed the clear button and got up from his throne. Initiation would take place in one of the Order's sanctums, and since he was the one sending Iaex off, they would be aboard the Nemesis. To honour the day, the Emperor wore his black tunic and cape, a deceptively simple looking garb fit for the occasion. Every Dark Jedi was invited as per tradition, but it was likely that only a few would have time to come. Crystala would probably be there, given that she had found him. Kane put his hood up to hide his face as he walked to the Sanctum silently and at a leisurely pace. Two Sovereign Protectors flanked him from behind as he moved, but they would only follow him to the Sanctum and take up posts outside. The Ritual of Initiation was only for Dark Jedi.

Once there, he found that everything had been prepared according to specifications, and the Emperor sat down behind the simple duraplast-covered table with a single glass and a decanter half full of water on top of it. The table only had one other chair, waiting for Iaex's presence. While waiting for the others to arrive he stretched out his senses to feel them approaching, and checked that all the items were ready. The only source of light in the room was a circle of anciently styled candles around the table, burning away synthetic chemical fuel and flickering slightly at the lightest movement of air in the room, its walls and boundaries hidden in what appeared as endless darkness, only broken by the burning candles and the eerie shadows they caused. It was silent.

It seemed like a long while since a new member was to be inducted into the Omega Order and, given how they just lost two, possibly three, it seemed high time to induct a new one. It was a shame then that Iaex Larek would be departing from the galaxy to explore new ones with a fleet that might never return so perhaps they really weren't gaining a new member so much as they were acknowledging his existence and wishing him well on his voyage. Still, she was pleased he was being accepted into the order, mostly due to the fact that she was the one who first presented him to the Emperor.

Reaching the Sanctum, she breezed past the two guards who stood motionless, not hindering her ability to enter the dimly lit room. The Emperor sat at one end of a table where the flickering candles cast off their long stretching shadows. She bowed respectfully to him briefly before straightening herself up. "My lord," she greeted simply, walking around to take her place just behind and off to the side of the Emperor.

She remained silent, and would probably do so for much of the ceremony as she kept her eyes fixed on the door waiting for the next person to enter. It would probably be the last time she ever saw Iaex again and it was a shame, he showed so much promise and she suspected he was capable of achieving great things in this galaxy.

"Dagger of the ISIS? No, I am the hand that wields it!" - Director-General Endivain
"The quickest way to find the needle, burn the haystack!"

Has it really been two years?, Kyp thought to himself as he walked down the halls of the Nemesis. His discovery as a Force sensitive by then Supreme Commander Ace Roscoe had come as a big surprise. Now, it all seemed commonplace. He struggled to think how his life would be without the Force, how he could get through the day without feeling its energy. His life as a freighter pilot on Corellia seemed so distant. Even his commission in the Imperial Navy seemed to be ages ago. The Force had changed him, had molded him into something alien. He had just recently come to terms with this new Kyp. It wasn't something he was completely comfortable with, but he at least come to accept it. The galaxy was changing and Kyp became more convinced every day that the Force had a use for him.

The Dark Jedi stopped outside a door flanked by two Sovereign Protectors. He looked down and smoothed out his black dress robes, an outfit he hadn't worn in some time. Clipped to his belt was a newly constructed lightsabre with a brand new color. The presence of the weapon on Kyp was significant. The last time he had been in the presence of the Emperor, Kyp vowed to never use a lightsabre again until he was ready. The kidnapping of his children had forced his hand. The new lightsabre was built with the crystal obtained during his daughter's rescue. The weapon symbolized his change as a person as well as his willingness to accept that change. Kyp nodded to the two Sovereign Protectors who made no indication of even noticing the Dark Jedi.

A dark room a table and two other Order members met Kyp as he made his way through the door. Kyp bowed to the man seated at the table. "My Lord," Kyp said to Emperor Kane. He turned to the woman at the Emperor's side and gave her a slightly shallower bow. "Master." He moved around the table and took his place beside Crystala while eying the glass of water. He couldn't help but smile. This was the same test that he had been put through, but his had been much less formal. He remembered how shocked he had been when the water changed color due to his own power. It was frightening and empowering at the same time. Kyp was excited to see the look on the new initiate's face when he managed to do what many people would put off as impossible.

To call this situation strange would have been an understatement. To call it awkward would have been generous. No matter how you cut it, Iaex had no idea what to expect from this. For much of his career so far and in spite of his humble upbringings on the galactic fringe of society, he had been in such a position as to rub elbows with some of the top brass in the New Imperial Federation, occasionally giving high-level staff briefings for people as illustrious as the Director General of the ISIS. His career had been a triumph of successes, but the single commonality during the entire thing was his identity.

He was Commander Iaex Larek, Sensor Operations Specialist with the New Imperial Federation Navy, stationed in Task Force Omniscient to work with the ISIS on the best sensors avaliable and provide his expertise to the absolutely vital intelligence-gathering arm of the New Imperial Federation's military. Now of course, that was all being turned upside down. He had long known he had a heritage in the Force due to his parents' own experiences with it, but he had never thought he would be discovered, and the lessons he had learned growing up had always pointed to the fact that it was better to remain hidden than to be found and killed. I suppose that is the kind of thing that gets passed down to new generations once one has lived through a purge of your own kind. Even more than that radical swap in his mind was the fact that he was not attending this ceremony as Commander Iaex Larek, but as a new prospective person known as Iaex Larek, the Dark Jedi. To further complicate things, the Emperor himself would be present, and had even been the one to issue the summons to Iaex. Other attendees were possible, but with no knowledge of the practices or ceremonies of the Omega Order, Iaex had no way of knowing beyond what had been told to him.

Those instructions led him to this door deep within the Nemesis, flanked on either side by Imperial Sovereign Protectors - the elite soldiers employed for the purpose of guarding the Emperor and the highest levels of the New Imperial Federation's government and military. Walking ever closer to the door as he strode along the corridor, their lack of any sort of reaction to his presence was almost more of a surprise than anything else, and as he stepped into the room beyond was greeted by an otherworldly sight of sorts.

In the middle of the room sat the Emperor at a simple table, dressed in a black tunic and cape. In the edges of the room Iaex could spot two other people present in the flickering light of candles around the table in the center of the room. Though the faces of neither could be definitively determined in the dim light and deep shadows, Iaex could tell one to be male, and the other female. The Director General, in all likelyhood and...the Supreme Commander? No...it doesn't look like his body type - though I am pretty sure the Supreme Commander is also a Dark Jedi.

Though his first instinct upon entering the room was to stiffen to attention and salute, something odd came over him in the span of the doorway and while making his observations of the room, he stepped two paces farther than he customarily would have, and upon stopping decided that rather than standing awkwardly at the edge of the circle of light emitted by the candles, he should do something to indicate his respect for the superiors in the room. That showing of course, came in the form of a singular bow to the Emperor and he spoke softly the words, "Lord Roscoe." in testament to the man waiting there, the man who had the vision and power to forge and lead the New Imperial Federation. The man who had ultimately called upon him to fulfill a destiny he had never dreamed of.

"Welcome, Iaex Larek. You have been chosen among many, to join the Omega Order", the Emperor spoke softly. "You also have a unique challenge ahead of you, that of heading into the great unknown. We in the Order know however, that there is no greater challenge than to face yourself. This is especially true for everyone who can sense the Force. Have a seat." He made no comment regarding Kyp's choice of weaponry, this was not the time or place.

As Iaex picked the only other seat in the room, the Emperor continued his speech. No one else was expected to attend, as they were few in numbers, and they all had important things to do. Should anyone else find the time to be at the ritual, they would be there to witness and acknowledge a new brother in their midst, not because they were needed. There was no reason to wait.

"The rite of initiation has been a tradition with us since it was first discovered to be a useful method to determine one's true potential. The Force is taught it many different ways across the galaxy, but most are that of paltry tricks and false traditions. Our understanding of the Force and the Dark Side is different, and we use what works best for us", he clamly explained as he began to fill the glass up to half with clear spring water.

"Aside from increasing their base power - the Flow - every Dark Jedi develops their skills according to six divisions which I call Aspects. Of those, only one holds your full power, that we call the Primary Aspect. Occasionally, we are also able to determine a Secondary Aspect. Not everyone has one, some are versatile and spread out their skills more. Your Aspect does not limit you as much as it determines how you should use the Force to achieve your greatest results", Kane said and dropped a small leaf into the glass.

"It is time for you to demonstrate your ability before your peers, as we all have. This leaf is still alive, it works as a catalyst for your power, to achieve an effect you would otherwise not see. Now, put your palms close to each side of the glass without touching it. Recall the sensation you now know to be the Force filling your being, and enhance it with your emotions. That is all - do not channel it anyhere. Just call upon the Force. Feel free to close your eyes if you need it in order to concentrate."

This was the moment. He, Crystala and Kyp were all paying close attention to Iaex, eager to witness what the result would turn out to be. The test could be performed anywhere, but this room and its sparse furniture was chosen because of its Force neutrality. The only strong sources of power within it were the three practicing Dark Jedi, and they were all able to control their presence.

Nothing was said beyond what the Emperor said in his greeting, and it seemed as if the darkness swallowed up all noise beyond the voice of the Emperor - soft but powerful in the way of a velvet glove over an iron fist. Most assuredly the Dark Jedi here already knew his thoughts using the mind-reading powers his parents had told him about. No matter though...this is about me.

Stepping forward out of the edge of the shadows he walked up to the table an sat down in the chair opposite the Emperor, and placed both of his hands flat upon the table as he listened to the continuation of what he was saying. Some of what Iaex heard he recognized, but most of it was as foreign as Huttese to him. There would be much to learn, and he was to have more than ample time in which to learn it during the Intergalactic Campaign Expedition. I wonder though...who will I be learning from? Maybe that mysterious male figure he did not recognize was to be his master. After all, it would make no sense for them to send any of their top command brass out of the galaxy.

Upon the conclusion of the speech about primary and secondary aspects, and something about Flow, the Emperor filled the glass of water sitting in the middle of the table with water to the halfway mark, and then picked up a small green leaf of a type Iaex didn't recognize, and dropped it into the water, where it floated gently around in the water in the small disturbance left from its being dropped into the water.

Following the instructions given to him, though somewhat vague, he lifted his hands from the table and moved them close to the glass of water. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took in a deep breath and held it for a moment before releasing it through his nose, feeling stress leaving his body as he relaxed himself and slowly opened his eyes once more, staring at the leaf as he concentrated his mind into the singular idea of the Force, the energy field that was in all living things, but with which he had so little experience.

Feeling the warm glow of the force within him he allowed it to continue to grow within him as he stared further into the glass, waiting to see what would happen. The leaf continued drifting in the slow current of the water and he watched as it bounced up against the edge of the glass, heading back to the center where it had originally been dropped, when suddenly and without explanation to him, it crumpled and fell to the bottom of the glass suddenly with a soft kerplunk as it submerged below the surface of the water, flattening itself out again on the bottom of the glass.

Startled by the suddenness of the leaf's change from gently drifting on the surface of the water, Iaex jumped back and his arm almost knocked the glass of water over while his concentration was broken, and the leaf floated slowly back to the surface without explanation just as it had sunk mere seconds before. It was only at this point in time that Iaex realized that in his relaxation, he had failed to breathe while bringing up the power of the Force into himself, and he gasped suddenly for air, returning his hands to the sides of the glass but not yet calling upon the force again. As his perceptions grew to include the whole room again, he became aware of the two others in the shadows, watching him, and the Emperor's gaze caught his eyes once again, full of power and wisdom.

"You know it to be true", Kane replied him a slight, toothless smile. "I fear you may walk a difficult path", he continued, re-assuming his serious face. "Unusual talents require unusual approach and training."

"But this is a time to rejoice. Our brother has proven himself worthy to be included in our midst", he added more vigourously and stretched out his hands partially in what could be seen as a welcoming gesture. It was pointless to add the caution that he would have to continue to prove himself, as they all knew it and Iaex would find out for himself. "We cannot spare a master to go with you on your journey. That is very unfortunate indeed, but the choice to go is yours if you still wish it."

"I do", Iaex replied and breathed in, all this still an entirely new experience for him, and he was still feeling the mixture of wonder and disbelief of what he had done and what happened to him that every new initiate had felt since the first days of inception was carried out.

"Then we shall arm you to the best of our ability, with knowledge and weapons. Your peers will want to speak with you, but first I have things to offer", the Emperor spoke and brought out an item in each hand from within the long sleeves created by the way he carried his cape. They were both symmetric crystals, but different in shapes. The one on his left was a dodecahedron, and Kane placed it on the table before Iaex.

"This holocron contains the Order's library, everything that we know of the Force which has been transcribed for ease of access. Normally this data is contained within a secured part of the HoloNet, but I decided you would need this. It will respond to the touch of a Force-sensitive."

"This holocron is of my own make. It will teach you and guide you on your way", he said and placed the second crystal on the table. It was a polychoron that threatened to bend Iaex mind if he looked upon it too long, because it was in truth four-dimensional in shape. "In addition to this, you are, if things work out as planned, not competely cut off from us. Communications pods will be sent every month with reports, crew and passenger mail, and under the discretion of the Vicereine and the captain at other times", he explained.

"Normally we don't let Initiates use lightsabres until they can make their own, but I will gift you one. When you are ready to build yours, your ship will have everything you require", the Emperor said and lifted up a lightsabre from below the table and placed it too on top of the table. It was an item of exceptional quality, yet simple in the make, with a minimum of distinguishing features and a belt clip.

Coming down slowly from the initial surprise at what had just happened, Iaex nodded solemnly to the Emperor's smile, and little more than an arched eyebrow came out from him at mention of the 'different path' he walked. Of course internally he was quite busy analyzing what the possible meanings were for everything going on, but on the outside he appeared at least somewhat composed for someone who had just tapped into the Force for the first time.

The question of if he still wished to continue on the mission in the absense of a master was a no-brainer. Even without the Force, I wouldn't miss this expedition for anything I can think of. Training would definitely be a completely new endeavor for him in the absense of any contact with someone more skilled than himself to show the ropes and provide guidance in how to develop his talents in the Force - since after all that much was something that would follow him everywhere from this day forward and it could be argued by some that it had followed him to this day.

From his sleeves, the Emperor withdrew two crystals of amazing beauty, both possessing of a strange - yet individual - sense of otherworldliness. Setting them on the table, he slid them towards Iaex, whom examined them carefully while an explanation was made that the first of them was called a Holocron, and somehow contained all of the knowledge of the Order, which Iaex - or presumably any other Force-user - could activate and use. The other crystal on the other hand was apparently some sort of communication device with which he could contact the Order in this Galaxy even across the vast distances away he would be, and without the necessary wait of time for the transit of a hyperspace communication pod.

The third item presented to him across the table was simply a cylinder, rather than the complex shapes previously, and was easily recognizable as a lightsaber. Reaching across the table to where the items sat, Iaex picked up each in turn in the reverse order in which they had been placed there, carefully examining each for relative weight and feel.

As he picked up the holocron, a distinct glow lit it up from within, "How do these two crystals work?" He asked, indicating the holocron in his hand, and the other strange crystal which he had just set back onto the table. "Will the Holocron know what I need to learn and when, or will I have to be taught how to access its secrets?" The device's size was remarkably small, and the fact that it apparently contained the entirity of the knowledge known to the Omega Order was an astounding feat, but the question of course remained of how he would retrieve that knowledge.

Still in the shadows of the room, the two silent observers of the ceremony had remained just that - silent observers. Their presence however was not forgotten, and if what Emperor Roscoe had said was correct, they would shortly speak to him and offer their own wisdom and congratulations.

Crystala stepped forward, an almost apologetic look on her face. "It's a shame it had to be like this," she began, a knowing smile on her face, "I'm sure you would have done great things to help shape the known galaxy. That being said, however, I look forward to, hopefully, one day hearing about your exploits in another, how your efforts shaped the future of a far off world that I, personally, will never see nor breathe or experience."

To say she wasn't envious would be an understatement. She didn't exactly like exploration, the meeting with the "Vong" in the Unknown Regions reminded her why she preferred the unknown daggers in the shadows in the known galaxy over the unknown everything in the unknown. Still, it would have been an experience to see new worlds and new species, hopefully not as hostile as the ones encountered in the Unknown Regions.

She didn't have anything as fancy to present him as a gift, Emperor Kane had pretty much saw to that. Gesturing to the Holocron, she answered his questions by saying merely, "Trust in its wisdom and know that everything it tells you has a deeper meaning than you might fathom at first." Drawing in a breath, she walked closer and offered him a small datachip, hardly a sophisticated thing compared to the Holocron. "It's nothing much," she let Iaex take it before continuing, "But, you should find it useful when you feel ready to start training with your lightsaber. If nothing else, it will provide you with some more advanced techniques once you become more familiar with it."

Inclining her head slightly, Crystala took a step back and regarded the newest addition to the Omega Order with some measure of pride. "I wish you all the best out there and may the Dark Side always be with you."

"Dagger of the ISIS? No, I am the hand that wields it!" - Director-General Endivain
"The quickest way to find the needle, burn the haystack!"

Nodding slowly in the direction of the Holocron as Crystala gave her little bit of cryptic wisdom on the mysteries and secrets contained within it, Iaex gladly accepted the datachip she handed to him, putting it into a pocket. And I will have to put that in my quarters on the ship - so as to not lose it. "Thank you, Madame Director. I hope that my exploits in the next galaxy will be as successful as yours have been in this one."

With that, Iaex looked back to the lightsaber he had been given by the Emperor. It was simple in design, little more than a metal cylinder of a matte dark gray color adorned simply with a clip that would attach it to a belt, and an activation switch on the side, placed unobtrusively yet in such a way that the lightsaber could be easily activated with either hand he should choose to use. Picking it up off the table, he felt the solid weight of it in his hand and the cool sensation of the metal.

Unsure exactly of how to proceed, he made sure the proper end was facing away from himself and carefully used the activation switch on the side, bringing a brilliant blue-green blade out of the metal cylinder while not noticably changing the weight of the whole weapon in any discernible way. Moving it slightly through the air proved that it indeed did not seem to have any weight, and the low hum of its operation changed slightly in pitch as he moved the blade ever so slightly before deactivating it once again and turning back to the Emperor, "Thank you, Lord Roscoe."

With the lightsaber now safely deactivated once again until such time as he could actually use the datachip - and presumably the Holocron as well - to learn how to use it as more than a utility knife, he clipped it on his belt where it hung simply and unobtrusively next to his sidearm, the sort of weapon he had spent much of his life relying upon whenever a weapon was needed, whether for hunting or self-defense on the outskirts of the settlement. Picking up also the holocron and the other strange crystal, he examined them once again closely, wondering exactly what caused the faint glow within each of them and settling on the fact that it must be the Force, before slipping them both into a pocket as well.

Kyp watched Iaex as the initiate exerted his will on the small leaf. A smile forced itself onto Kyp's face when Iaex jumped back in surprise at his own actions. He stifled a chuckle that almost found its way out. Kyp had been just as surprised during his own initiation. It wouldn't do Iaex any good to be laughed at, even if it was because the young man reminded Kyp of himself. He listened as the Emperor and Crystala gave Iaex gifts and advice. Kyp felt bad for the man having to train with no master in a distant galaxy. He knew from his own experience that being introduced to the Force was not an easy thing to deal with, especially not alone.

After Crystala had finished talking to Iaex, Kyp made his way over to him. He held both his palms open and shrugged. "I didn't realize we were bringing gifts," Kyp said, winking. "Seriously, though, I wanted to welcome you to our order. I'd say I look forward to training with you, but you've got bigger things ahead of you than that."

Kyp put his hand on the man's shoulder. "Be careful out there and listen to the words of Emperor Kane and Master Endivain carefully. I know they won't be there personally, but you couldn't ask for better teachers. And if I can give you one piece of the advice, it would be to follow this." Kyp tapped on the man's chest just above his heart. "Your emotions, your instinct, sometimes make a lot more sense than anything you can come up with here." Kyp tapped his head. "Never forget who you are, Iaex. I tried to fight my own nature once and it didn't turn out very well." Kyp glanced at the Emperor and his master. "Two very wise people helped me correct my mistake. I'm telling you this in the hopes that you don't have to."

Kyp stepped back and gave Iaex one of his lopsided grins. The day was overwhelming enough for the young man, Kyp just hoped he hadn't made it worse. His advice was heavy, but necessary in his eyes. Iaex didn't have the luxury of easy answers ahead of him. He didn't have the luxury of a support group when things went wrong. "You'll do fine out there, Iaex. Make the Federation proud!"

The final person in the room, after Crystala had given him the datachip with training information, and he had experimented for the first time with the lightsaber, walked over to him with open hands and a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I didn't realize we were bringing gifts. Seriously, though, I wanted to welcome you to our order. I'd say I look forward to training with you, but you've got bigger things ahead of you than that."

"I suppose it goes without saying that I was unaware of anything which was to happen here," Iaex replied "gifts included." The events of the short while he had been in this room were still very alive, and as he found greater mental distance from the immediate events, questions began to surface in his mind. Questions of which I will find answers another day, I suppose.

The man placed a hand on Iaex's shoulder and their eyes locked as he imparted his own particular gift to the new Initiate by way of advice, "Be careful out there and listen to the words of Emperor Kane and Master Endivain carefully. I know they won't be there personally, but you couldn't ask for better teachers. And if I can give you one piece of the advice, it would be to follow this," Using his other hand, the man tapped Iaex's chest right above his heart, "Your emotions, your instinct, sometimes make a lot more sense than anything you can come up with here." and then his temple "Never forget who you are, Iaex. I tried to fight my own nature once and it didn't turn out very well. Two very wise people helped me correct my mistake. I'm telling you this in the hopes that you don't have to." Stepping back a small bit, the seriousness which had been present faded away into a grin. "You'll do fine out there, Iaex. Make the Federation proud!"

"I can only hope to do as much as that. The places we will go are not yet known, and it has always been my calling to journey the stars and go those places. I will remember your advice - all of you." Iaex said, glancing around the room at the three people within it.

"Very good Iaex. Remember that you can still contact us, however I have to correct one assumption of yours I couldn't help but sense", the Emperor said and slowly rose soundlessly from his position.

"There is no contact net over the distance of galaxies. We do not even know if the Force is still strong enough in the deep void to be used over the millions of lightyears ICE's path will take it. The many people aboard the ship will surely give you enough energy to study and train with, however this may not be the case over intergalactic space. In short, you will have to rely on the same hyperspace message probes as everyone else until we can find another way. If one even exists. Nay, the other crystal has a different purpose, which will become readily apparent to you soon enough."

Kane ceased to speak and looked instead at Kyp. "I note that you carry a lightsabre in my presence. Am I to assume then, that you believe yourself ready for such a calling?"

Kyp moved his stance slightly and was about to speak when the Emperor raised his hand. "I concur. I have followed your progress as much as my time have allowed, and the reports speak favourably on your account. As you have met and overcome the greatest of enemies, and from there gone to conquer an enemy without, your graduation is complete. Furthermore, I find that you have increased in both maturity and skill, to such a degree that you may not only be considered graduated, but it is also my pleasure to recognize your development with a corresponding increase in rank. Congratulations are in order, Warrior. Henceforth, you are allowed to take on students on your own. You own judgement and wisom will serve you well in this task, should you decide to take it up, but I'm also sure that your former master and indeed the rest of the Council can aid you further if you feel the need."

It was a formal proclamation, which was why Kane had spoken more formally than he otherwise may have, but as he finished, he also extended his hand to shake Kyp's. As soon as he was done, he turned to Iaex once more. "I apologize for diverting some of your thunder this way, but we are a busy Order and this was something that needed to be done as well. It gives a second reason to be cheerful this day, so I don't think it was out of place. I will make room for you in my schedule, should you have something you wish to discuss before you have to leave. Time draws, after all, nigh. Now I will leave you all to your thoughts, as I'm sure you all have more to discuss. Adieu."

With that, the Emperor left silently, moving almost like a shadow floating over the ground and walls.

The news didn't come as any surprise to Crystala as Kane elevated Kyp higher into the ranks of the Omega Order, a full fledged Dark Jedi at last. Hearing the Emperor's words probably brought her more joy than it did her former student. It was a long journey, for the both of them to be sure and now it seemed to have finally come to an end.

Or rather, a new beginning. It was good to have more trained members in the Order and she felt confidant that he would handle himself better this time around and make her proud.

The Emperor left in his usual silent manner and only when the doors had closed behind him did Crystala finally look up and over at Kyp, her lips tugging at the barest hint of a smile that yellow hues seemed all to eager to express regardless. Stepping closer, she regarded him for but a moment and then wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Congratulations Kyp," she breathed at last, the smile finally showing through, "You've come a long way since we first started and I'm glad you were able to see it through, despite the hardships." Pulling herself back, she took in a deep breath, and, still smiling, she added to him telepathically with a slightly darker, though half-joking tone, 'Just don't lose yourself a second time because I don't think Lord Kane will allow himself to be mistaken.'

Though she smiled, part of her felt saddened to let him graduate, feeling as if she might never see him again. It was a foolish attachment, but Crystala had gotten used to their relationship as student and master. Now he was free from the burdens of her teachings and lectures, and she was free to... to do what? Return to the ISIS and run it, her time and attention no longer as divided as it once was?

Feeling her eyes start to well up, she added softly, "Make me proud Kyp. Make all of us proud."

"Dagger of the ISIS? No, I am the hand that wields it!" - Director-General Endivain
"The quickest way to find the needle, burn the haystack!"

All Kyp could do in response to the Emperor's announcement was stand there. It was hard enough to suppress the smile that was threatening to explode across his face. Kyp nodded as he listened to Kane's explanation of his new rank. It was always a good feeling to receive recognition for his efforts, but this meant more to Kyp. Graduating him meant that the Emperor trusted Kyp to fulfill all of the duties required of a master in the Omega Order. The fact that he was trusting Kyp to train a student of Kyp's choosing meant even more. He had regained his trust in himself and now the respect of his peers. Kane gave him no time to reflect on the moment. Only seconds had passed before Kyp had shaken Kane's hand and the Emperor had made his way out of the room.

The newly promoted Dark Jedi opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off when Crystala pulled him into a tight hug. Kyp tensed up for a split second then let out a deep breath, the smile he had been fighting back erupting across his face. He brought his arms around and held Crystala equally as tight. Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about then end of their relationship. Crystala had kept him stable through the roughest of times and he owed her everything for that. He knew that they would work together again, but he would miss her teachings. He had so much more to learn. How in the Force was he supposed to train a student of his own?

Crystala's words were comforting and it filled Kyp with pride that he was able to please his master. But her telepathic jibe was more biting than she realized. Kyp dropped his eyes to the floor and his smiling face faded into a blank look. A pain hit him in the stomach as the words hit home. He realized she was only half-joking, but it didn't make the words any less true. Although he had managed to come to grips with himself, Kyp didn't like to think back to that night.

Kyp fought off the feeling and brought his eyes back up to meet Crystala's. She was greeted with a smiling face and bright blue eyes. "Mas..." Kyp paused, chuckling. "Crystala. The time you've dedicated to me, the sacrifices you've made to help me succeed...I...I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am. I couldn't have asked for a better master. I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here today without your guidance. You mean so much to me, more than just a teacher ever could. You're one of my best friends, Crystala, so don't think you can get rid of me this easily." Kyp flashed her a lopsided grin. "Maybe our meetings can result in less injury to me and more dinner from now on. I was starting to get the feeling that you enjoyed watching me suffer."

Kyp winked at Crystala before turning to Iaex. "Sorry about that. I really had no idea this was going to happen. I didn't want to take away from your time. How about we hit up the lounge? The least I could do is buy you a drink before you leave the galaxy."